Optimists Start Shelter

The idea of getting a generator for the building came after Dalton saw the mess the winter storms caused in southwest Missouri. People lived without power for days. And the city of Ashland wants to avoid those desperate times.

"We were looking at our community and what shelters we had available and identified a need for having a building with an emergency back-up generator," said Ken Eftink, Ashland City Administrator.

And the shelter gives the community exactly that.

"This will support or supply Ashland with a place to go where there's heat and you know, cooking facilities available and so forth," Eftink said.

Right now the Optimist building is set up with tables and chairs, but when removed it has enough sleeping room for more than 200 people. Dalton wants to have the generator in place by fall, but it'll take a big generator with a big price tag.